For his first night as the newest chief news anchor and senior editor at CTV National News, Omar Sachedina acknowledged the ongoing drama centred around his predecessor Lisa LaFlamme.

Since it was announced that LaFlamme would not return as the nightly anchor, the Canadian and international news cycles have been filled with rigorous debate over sexism and ageism.

Though Bell Media denied LaFlamme's contract was not renewed because of her grey hair, the dominant topic to emerge from the announcement seems to be how older women are treated in the workforce.

As the criticism continued to roll in, the news of Sachedina's appointment was largely missing from the discussion.

But on his first night hosting the evening news hour, he took a moment to address the controversy and thank LaFlamme.

.@omarsachedina speaks to Canadians on his first night as Chief News Anchor and Senior Editor of CTV National News. pic.twitter.com/RogESnASPt

— CTV News (@CTVNews) September 6, 2022

"We typically cover the news but lately we have become the subject of it," Sachedina told his new viewers on Monday night.

"Over the past few weeks Canadians have been having important discussions about ageism, sexism and racism. The fact that we can have these conversations and learn from them is one of the hallmarks of this great country and reminds us of the role we all have in making it even better," he said.

He continued to tell viewers a little bit about his background, explaining that his parents were expelled from Uganda and "were welcomed by compassionate and generous Canadians from coast to coast to coast."

Sachedina started to close out the moment by recognizing LaFlamme and her legacy at CTV and Bell Media.

"Finally, it is important for me to acknowledge the inspiration and mentor that Lisa LaFlamme has been to me over the years. Lisa, thank you for everything. Like many of you, I really wish Lisa's goodbye could have been from here."

With his final sentiments, Sachedina committed himself to CTV viewers and appeared to try and smooth out some bumps with disgruntled watchers.

"I know welcoming me into your homes every night is not a right, it's a privilege. I will work hard with our team to earn and build your trust for that continued privilege. That's my commitment to you and that's our commitment to you," finished the 40-year-old anchor. 

It is an honour to watch Omar as the new regular news presenter. The way Lisa's departure was handled disrespected Lisa and detracts from Omar replacing her.

— P.V. Kenna (@PVKenna2) September 6, 2022

You're still losing the PR battle. Omar, this should be your one shining moment, but if she meant so much to you. You and everyone else should of walked out in protest.

— Bryan Kelloway (@BKELLOWAY) September 6, 2022

Sachedina was the former national affairs correspondent for CTV news and joined the company in 2009.

Throughout his journalism career, Sachedina has covered the former presidential inauguration of Barak Obama, the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, the royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton and the 2011 Norway attacks.
 

We’ve just crossed over into Ukraine.

Astounding site.

Car after car after car after car.

All of these people are trying to flee to Poland, where we just were. pic.twitter.com/AOwLY7sMk2

— Omar Sachedina (@omarsachedina) February 28, 2022

Most recently, Sachedina was on the ground in Ukraine covering the ongoing war with Russia.